Testing and cut-off device for telephone line

ABSTRACT

A testing and cut-off device, intended to be interposed on a bifilar telephone or computer-related line in order to connect two incoming strands to two outgoing strands, comprises a testing well inside which are located, on the one hand, a couple of free terminals ( 32, 33 ) corresponding to the two incoming strands and, on the other hand, a couple of free terminals ( 41, 42 ) corresponding to the two outgoing strands, and a cover ( 59 ) for closing the well. These two couples of terminals ( 32, 33, 41, 42 ) are electrically insulated with respect to one another, when the cover ( 59 ) is open, and each terminal ( 32, 33, 41, 42 ) then becoming selectively accessible from the outside by a respective testing plug. The testing and cut-off device further comprises means incorporating electrical contacts contained in the cover for effecting the interconnection of these couples of terminals in two&#39;s when the cover ( 59 ) is closed on the well.  
     Said interconnection means incorporating electrical contacts contained in the cover ( 59 ), also comprise at least one means for galvanically linking the latter with at least one additional electrical member ( 66, 67 ) placed outside the well.

[0001] The present invention relates to a testing and cut-off device fortelephone or computer-related line, comprising an additional electricalmember.

[0002] The invention also relates to an interconnection module equippedwith a testing and cut-off device for telephone or computer-relatedline, presenting an additional electrical member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In telephone exchanges and in private installations, thetelephone lines are interconnected either via interconnection terminalblocks, or via interconnection modules. The general, but non-limiting,purpose of such interconnection modules and blocks is to interconnectselectively one or more lines of the telephone distribution Company, or“distributor”, or incoming line(s), to one or more corresponding userlines, or “subscribers”, or outgoing line(s).

[0004] The teams in charge of repairing and maintaining the lines andtelephone installations make measurements or tests, selectively both onthe outgoing line and on the corresponding incoming line. In addition,they sometimes make measurements or tests on these two lines, incomingline and outgoing line, when they are interconnected.

[0005] Document EP-0,710,040 discloses a line cut-off and testingdevice, composed of a well which contains the free ends of four metaltesting blades and which is hermetically closed by a cover which ensuresline continuity when it is closed, and which, on the contrary, cuts theline when it is open.

[0006] At the present time, it is necessary to be able to satisfy thesubscribers' particular requirements in the most economical mannerpossible, and these known modules cannot be easily modified by theconstructor with a view to satisfying such requirements at low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention therefore has for an object to propose a testingand cut-off device which integrates novel functions. The inventionachieves this object by providing a testing and cut-off device which maybe adapted, at low cost, to the various uses or particularconfigurations that the consumers may require.

[0008] A testing and cut-off device, intended to be interposed on abifilar telephone or computer-related line in order to connect twoincoming strands to two outgoing strands, comprises a testing wellinside which are located, on the one hand, a couple of free terminalscorresponding to the two incoming strands and, on the other hand, acouple of free terminals corresponding to the two outgoing strands, anda cover for closing the well, these two couples of terminals beingelectrically insulated with respect to one another, when the cover isopen, and each terminal then becoming selectively accessible from theoutside by a respective testing plug, and means incorporating electricalcontacts contained in the cover effecting the interconnection of thesecouples of terminals in two's when the cover is closed on the well.

[0009] According to the invention, the testing and cut-off device ischaracterized in that said interconnection means incorporatingelectrical contacts contained in the cover, also comprise at least onemeans for galvanically linking the latter with at least one additionalelectrical member placed outside the well.

[0010] Without modifying the testing and cut-off device, the novelfunctions are added on the already existing function of cover and lineopening. This multifunctionality is obtained by one or more additionalelectrical members connected by one or more galvanic linking means.

[0011] According to a first possibility, the additional electricalmember or members are inserted in the cover, if necessary substantiallyincreasing the height of the cover, the latter still being able to beopened and closed for interrupting the line and/or for accessing thewell.

[0012] The additional electrical member or members may be connected inseries with respect to one outgoing strand, or with respect to oneincoming strand, or with respect to the two incoming and outgoingstrands. To that end, the means incorporating electrical contacts forinterconnection of the cover are interrupted, and the additionalelectrical member or members are interposed at the level of thisinterruption of the interconnection means incorporating electricalcontacts, the galvanic linking means being placed at this interruption.The additional electrical member or members may be one or more positivetemperature coefficient resistors (PTCRs). One characteristic of thePTCRs is that of presenting a resistance which increases when thetemperature increases: overintensities are in that case peak-clipped.PTCRs constitute protection elements for the intensity. The additionalelectrical member or members may be connected in parallel (in by-pass)with respect to the two strands of the bifilar line. In that case, theadditional electrical members may be one or more Transil diodes whichserve to peak-clip the current.

[0013] According to a second possibility, the additional electricalmember or members are disposed outside the cover, this making itpossible to have electrical members of larger size, for example in theform of cards or of electronic circuits.

[0014] The additional electrical member or members may be connected inseries with respect to one outgoing strand, or with respect to oneincoming strand, or with respect to the two incoming and outgoingstrands. To that end, the interconnection means incorporating electricalcontacts are interrupted and the galvanic linking means may useinsulation displacement contacts, or “I.D.C.s”, disposed at the level ofthe interruption of said interconnection means. With four insulationdisplacement contacts, it is possible to connect, by four electricalwires, outside the cover, inter alia, a multiline test unit (or “MTU”),while ensuring the opening of the cover. The MTU circuit makes itpossible to effect a line test and to detect all defects on the line. Atelephone operator will send a coded electronic signal on his line, thenthe MTU will, depending on this signal, return another signal thenpicked up by the telephone operator. Electronic components establish thecontinuity of the link for each of the strands within the MTU.

[0015] The additional electrical member or members may be connected inparallel with respect to the two strands of the bifilar line. With oneor more galvanic linking means preferably consisting of two insulationdisplacement contacts, it is possible for example to connect an RCmodule by two electrical wires, outside the cover. The RC module allowsa measurement of line impedance by sending, on it, of a determinedfrequency.

[0016] The cover may also comprise an additional earth contact,independent of the interconnection means, which touches a contactpresent in the well, the latter being directly connected to earth whenthe cover is closed on the well. With this type of earth contact of thecover, the additional electrical member or members may be a voltagedependent resistor (“VDR”). The resistance of a VDR decreases when thevoltage at its terminals increases. The interconnection means are linkedwith one or more VDRs, which are themselves linked with the earthcontact. In this way, the resistance of a VDR decreases when the voltagewith respect to earth increases, which causes an overvoltage present onthe line to run off to earth.

[0017] According to the invention, a plurality of additional electricalmembers may be combined by providing suitable galvanic linking means inthe cover. In this way, a plurality of members may be connected togetherin series on one or on the two strands of line, and/or a plurality ofmembers may be connected together in parallel on the two strands ofline. Similarly, one or more members may be connected together in seriessimultaneously with one or more members that may be connected togetherin parallel. According to the invention, it is possible to combine oneor more additional electrical members inserted inside the cover and oneor more members disposed outside, which are connected in series and/orin parallel.

[0018] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a module forinterconnection of two monopair telephone or computer-related lines,comprises a testing and cut-off device presenting the characteristicsset forth hereinabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention will be more readily understood and its advantagesand various characteristics will be more apparent on reading thefollowing description of a nonlimiting form of embodiment, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 shows a view in perspective of a module for interconnectionof two monopair telephone lines;

[0021]FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section of a module forinterconnection of two monopair telephone lines, in accordance with thestate of the art;

[0022]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view in perspective of the internalconnectors of this module, in accordance with the state of the art;

[0023]FIG. 4 shows in exploded perspective view a cover, its contactsand its additional electrical members, according to a first embodimentof the invention;

[0024]FIG. 5 shows a view from underneath of the cover of FIG. 4;

[0025]FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the cover along the plane VI-VI inFIG. 5;

[0026]FIG. 7 shows in exploded perspective view a cover according to asecond embodiment of the invention;

[0027]FIG. 8 shows in perspective view the cover of FIG. 7 ready toreceive four wires for connection with an additional electrical member;

[0028]FIG. 9 shows in perspective view the cover of FIG. 7 provided withfour wires for connection with an additional electrical member;

[0029]FIG. 10 shows a side view, with parts torn away and withlongitudinal section of the cover, of an interconnection module equippedwith the cover of FIG. 7;

[0030]FIG. 11 shows a plan view in horizontal section of the cover ofFIG. 7;

[0031]FIG. 12 shows a view from underneath, by transparency, of thecover of FIG. 7;

[0032]FIG. 13 shows a cross section of the cover along the planeXIII-XIII in FIG. 12;

[0033]FIG. 14 shows in exploded perspective view a cover and itscontacts according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0034]FIG. 15 shows in exploded perspective view a cover and itscontacts according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0035]FIG. 16 shows in exploded perspective view a cover according to afifth embodiment of the invention;

[0036]FIG. 17 shows a view from underneath of the cover of FIG. 16;

[0037]FIG. 18 shows a cross section of the cover along the planeXVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17;

[0038]FIG. 19 shows a longitudinal section of the cover along the planeXIX-XIX in FIG. 17;

[0039]FIG. 20 shows in exploded perspective view a cover according to asixth embodiment of the invention;

[0040]FIG. 21 shows a side view with parts torn away and withlongitudinal section of the cover, of an interconnection module equippedwith the cover of FIG. 20;

[0041]FIG. 22 shows a view from underneath of the cover of FIG. 20; and

[0042]FIG. 23 shows a cross section of the cover along the planeXXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 3 show a module 1 forinterconnection of two monopair telephone or computer-related lineswhich makes it possible to connect, for example, a bifilar line 2,comprising two sheathed electrical wires, called “small wires” to abifilar line 3, comprising two sheathed electrical wires, called “largewires”. Each of the small wires has a conducting core with a diameter offrom 0.4 mm to about 0.8 mm, for example equal to 0.4 mm. Each of thelarge wires has a conducting core with a diameter of between 0.5 and 1.1mm, for example of 0.8 mm. In the case of a distribution installation oftwo telephone lines on poles, the bifilar line 2 comes from themulti-line incoming cable which forms part of the telephone distributionnetwork, while the bifilar line 3 is the outgoing line towards thesubscriber. In another configuration, the large wire line 3 is composedof two overhead 10 wires coming from the telephone distribution network,while the small wire line 2 is the outgoing line towards thesubscriber's inside installation. In such a case, the large wire line 3is the incoming line, while the small wire line 2 is the outgoing line.

[0044] This module, which is a module with so-called “tool-less”connection (i.e. without any tool other than a simple screw driver), iscomposed in fact, in one and the same unit, of three aligned parts 4, 6and 7 electrically connected together, and having distinct functions. Afirst part 4 formes a first end of the alignment, whose function is toconnect, by insertion of the two large wires 3 in two respective I.D.slots 8, 9, two I.D. contacts 11, 12 respectively. A second part 6 formsthe middle of the alignment and constitutes the line cut-off and testingzone as well as the “protection” zone receiving a lightning arrester orsurge arrester 13. A third part 7 forms the other end of the alignment,whose function is to connect, by insertion of the two small wires 2 intwo respective I.D. slots 14, 16, two I.D. contacts 17, 18 respectively.

[0045] The parts 4, 7 for connection of the wires are therefore locatedon either side of the central part 6 for cut-off, testing andprotection. Like all the modules of the prior art, this module 1 isprovided to be fixed, by tabs 19, 21 forming slideway, on a standardizedmetal rail 22.

[0046] The first connection part 4 comprises an insulating pusher 23 forreceiving and connecting the two large wires 3 by passage of the latterin the respective I.D. slots 8, 9 of the two I.D. contacts 11, 12. Tothat end, the pusher 23 comprises two blind orifices 24, 26 forreceiving the two respective large wires 3, and it is equipped with amaster screw 27 which traverses the base, to screw into a conventionalmetal nut (not shown).

[0047] By screwing this screw 27, the pusher 23 is lowered, this drivingthe large wires 3, previously introduced in the blind orifices 24 26inside the I.D. slots 8, 9 of the two I.D. contacts 11, 12.

[0048] The large wires 3 can be disconnected by unscrewing the screw 27in order to lift the pusher 23. The pusher 23 presents anend-of-connection pawl 28 which not only ensures, by its end-of-strokeclicking, a firm positioning of the pusher 23, but also, by the snappingsound which results from this clicking, informs the wire fitter that theinsulation displacement connection is positively made.

[0049] Each of the two I.D. contacts 11, 12 of the first connection part4 forms part of a respective complex contact, in the form of a cut-outflat metallic circuit, which electrically connects each of them, via alongitudinal and longilinear branch 29, 31 respectively, to a testing,cut-off and receiving contact 32, 33 of the surge arrester 13. These twotesting contacts 32, 33 form part of the second median part 6 of themodule mentioned above.

[0050] The third connection part 7 comprises the two I.D. connectioncontacts 17, 18 for the small wires 2 as well as an insulating manualconnection pusher 34 which is plugged on these two I.D. contacts 17, 18.The manual pusher 34 comprises two blind orifices 36 for respectivelyreceiving each of the small wires 2. The two small wires 2 areconventionally firstly introduced in these orifices 36, the pusher 34being lifted, then the pusher is pushed manually on the I.D. contacts17, 18 to make it descend therealong and thus drive the two small wires2 in their respective I.D. slots 14 and 16. The manual pusher 34 in thatcase remains in place and it is then possible to disconnect the wires 2by simply lifting this pusher in order to disengage these wires from theI.D. slots 14, 16. The connection pusher 34 presents anend-of-connection pawl 37 which not only ensures, by its end-of-strokeclicking, a firm positioning of the pusher 34, but also, by the snappingsound which results from such clicking, informs the wire fitter that theinsulation displacement connection is positively made.

[0051] The two I.D. contacts 17, 18 of the third part 7 form part of arespective complex contact in the form of a cut-out flat metalliccircuit, which electrically connects each of them, via a longitudinaland longilinear branch 38, 39 respectively, to a testing and cutoffcontact 41, 42. These two testing contacts 41, 42 form part of thesecond median part 6 of the module mentioned above.

[0052] The median part 6 is constituted by a well 43 of rectangularsection comprising an upper O-ring 44 and closed by a pivoting cover 46.In the state of the art, the cover 46 comprises two contacts 47, 48 forline continuity, inserted longitudinally with respect to the cover. Whenthe cover 46 is closed, the contact 47 electrically connects togetherthe contact 32 in connection with the I.D. contact 11 for receiving oneof the large wires 3, with the contact 41 in connection with the I.D.contact 17 for receiving one of the small wires 2. And when the cover 46is closed, the contact 48 electrically connects together the contact 33in connection with the I.D. contact 12 for receiving the other of thelarge wires 3, with the contact 42 in connection with the I.D. contact18 for receiving the other of the small wires 2.

[0053] The surge arrester 13 is inserted in parallel on the bifilarlarge wire line 3. It is blocked between two elastic metallic parts 49,51 advancing towards each other, belonging respectively to the contacts32 and 33, and which bear against the two electrodes of said surgearrester 13. Moreover, the well 43 includes an earth contact 52 whichbears, under the module, against the metal receiving rail 22. In thewell 43, the earth contact 52 is located half way between the contacts32 and 33 in order to be able to receive the median earth electrode 53of the surge arrester 13. The surge arrester 13 also comprises a safetyshort circuit 54, also called “fail-safe”, incorporating a fusiblepellet.

[0054] The cover 46 comprises a hollow body 56, including the contacts47, 48, a tab 57 for gripping and a hinge 58 ensuring its opening andclosure O/C.

[0055] In a first embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 4 to 6), the knowncover 46 is replaced by a cover 59 of which the hollow body is morevoluminous. The interior volume of this cover 59 is intended to receiveadditional electrical members inserted in series between the large wireline 3 and the small wire line 2. The electrical members are two innumber and, in this example, are positive temperature coefficientresistors (PTCRs). PTCRs have a parallelepipedic shape with a squareface whose side measures about 5 mm and with smaller thickness equal toabout 2 mm. A PTCR comprises two electrodes, one on each of the mostextended opposite surfaces.

[0056] For this connection, the two known contacts 47, 48 have beenreplaced by four separate specific contacts 61, 62, 63 and 64. They eachpresent a first curved end, already known, intended to bear against eachof the contacts of the well 32, 33, 42 and 41 respectively. However, theshape of these contacts 61, 62, 63 and 64 has been adapted to thegeometry of the two PTCRs 66 and 67. The PTCRs have been placedlongitudinally inside the cover 59, one next to the other and slightlyoffset in the longitudinal direction, inserted between the planesdefined by the contacts of the well. Consequently, one of the electrodes66 b of one of the PTCRs 66 faces an electrode 67 b of the other PTCR67, these two electrodes 66 b and 67 b being oriented respectivelytowards the centre of the cover 59. Likewise, the other of theelectrodes 66 a of one of the PTCRs 66 and another electrode 67 a of theother PTCR 67 are oriented in opposite directions to one another andtowards the lateral walls of the cover.

[0057] The contact 62, intended to touch the electrode oriented towardsthe lateral wall 67 a of the PTCR 67, presents an additional metallicpart in the form of a cut-out tongue 62 a projecting towards theelectrode 67 a. In order to be able to touch one of the electrodes ofone PTCR, which is oriented towards the centre, the correspondingcontact must make a bridge and present the form of a U, in order to passaround the body of the PTCR, and it must not touch the other of theelectrodes which is oriented towards the lateral wall of the cover 59.This contact is fixed to the bottom of the cover by the bottom of theU-shaped part. In this way, the contact 63, touching the oppositeelectrode oriented towards the centre 67 b of the same PTCR 67, presentsan additional portion returning towards the centre of the cover andforming the branch of the U 63 a.

[0058] The same applies for contact 64, with a metallic part in the formof a cut-out elastic tongue 64 a, shaped to touch the electrode orientedtowards the lateral wall 66 a of the second PTCR 66. The same appliesfor contact 61, with a portion returning towards the centre 61 a, andforming the branch of the U 61 a, shaped to touch the other oppositeelectrode oriented towards the centre 66 b of the second PTCR 66.

[0059] In this way, the continuity of one of the large wire strands 3 ismade through the interconnection module, by the first contact of thewell 32, the first contact of the cover 61, one of the electrodes of thefirst PTCR 66 b via the branch 61 a of the first contact of the cover61, the resistive part of the first PTCR 66, the other of the electrodes66 a of the first PTCR, the cut-out metallic part 64 a of the secondcontact 64, the second contact 64, and the second contact of the well41, up to one of the small wire strands 2.

[0060] The continuity of the other of the large wire strands 3 is madethrough the interconnection module by the third contact of the well 33,the third contact of the cover 62, the cut-out metallic part 62 a of thethird contact 62, one of the electrodes of the second PTCR 67 a, theresistive part of the second PTCR 67, the other of the electrodes 67 bof the second PTCR, the branch 63 a of the fourth contact of the cover63, the fourth contact of the cover 63, and the fourth contact of thewell 42, up to the other of the small wire strands 2.

[0061] In a second embodiment (FIGS. 7 to 13), the known cover 46 isreplaced by a cover 68 allowing an output for connection towards anadditional electrical member which is more voluminous and thereforedisposed outside this cover 68. The additional electrical member is inthis example an outside MTU unit (not shown). It is connected in serieson each of the two line strands, to the interconnection module, by foursheathed electrical wires.

[0062] For this connection, the two known contacts 47, 48 have beenreplaced by four separate specific contacts 69, 71, 72 and 73. The fourseparate specific contacts 69, 71, 72 and 73 have been adapted and theyeach present a known first curved end, intended to bear against each ofthe contacts of the well, 32, 33, 42 and 41 respectively. They also eachpresent another end, pointed upwardly, projecting beyond the cover 68,of the insulation displacement slot type, similar to an I.D. contact, inorder to ensure connection towards the outside of the cover.

[0063] Connection is made by inserting each of the four MTU wires 74,76, 77 and 78 respectively in the four insulation displacement slots 69a, 71 a, 71 a and 73 a of each of the four respective I.D. contacts 69,71, 72 and 73. The cover 68 of the well 43 comprises a manual insulatingpusher 79 for receiving and connecting the four MTU wires. The cover 68also comprises in its upper part four openings 81 82, 83 and 84 throughwhich the ends, with I.D. slot, of the four respective I.D. contacts 69,71, 72 and 73 emerge. The manual insulating pusher 79 comprises fourtransverse blind orifices 86, 87, 88 and 89 for receiving the fourrespective MTU wires 74, 76, 77 and 78. In this way, the four MTU wires74, 76, 77 and 78 are firstly introduced in these orifices 86, 87 88 and89, the pusher being lifted. Then the pusher 79 is pushed manuallytowards the I.D. contacts 69, 71, 72 and 73 emerging via the openings81, 82, 83 and 84, in order to cause it to descend therealong and thusinsert the four MTU wires 74, 76, 77 and 78 in their respectiveinsulation displacement slots 69 a, 71 a, 72 a and 73 a. The manualpusher 79 remains in place, as it presents two elastic arms 90cooperating at the end of connection with pawls 91 of the cover 68,ensuring, by their end-of-stroke clicking, a firm positioning of themanual pusher 79. A snapping sound, resulting from the clicking, informsthe wire fitter that the insulation displacement connection ispositively made. Finally, it is possible to disconnect the wires 74, 76,77 and 78, simply by lifting this pusher 79, in order to disengage themfrom the insulation displacement slots 69 a, 71 a, 72 a and 73 a.

[0064] Being given that the four contacts 32, 33, 41 and 42 inside thewell 43 are oriented longitudinally with respect to the module, the endsof the four I.D. contacts touching them are also oriented longitudinallywith respect to the module and they face the four contacts of the well.On the contrary, being given that the four outlets via the four orifices86, 87, 88 and 89 are oriented transversely with respect to the moduleand are in line, the ends with insulation displacement slots 69 a, 71 a,72 a and 73 a of the four I.D. contacts consequently being orientedtransversely with respect to the module and being substantially in line,the four I.D. contacts each present intermediate right-angled bevelgears.

[0065] In a third embodiment (FIG. 14), the known cover 46 is replacedby a cover 92, allowing both an outlet for connection towards anadditional electrical member outside the cover, and additionalelectrical members inserted inside the cover 92. The more voluminoushollow body thus receives two PTCRs 93, 94 inserted in series betweenthe large wire line 3 and the small wire line 2.

[0066] For this connection, the two known contacts 47, 48 have beenreplaced by four separate specific contacts 96, 97, 98 and 99. They eachpresent a known first curved end, intended to bear against each of thecontacts of the well 32, 33, 42 and 41 respectively. The shape of thesecontacts has therefore been adapted, on the one hand, to the geometry ofthe PTCRs 93, 94 and, on the other hand, to the outlet for connectiontowards the outside of the cover.

[0067] The PTCRs 93, 94 have been placed longitudinally inside the cover92 one beside the other and slightly offset in the longitudinaldirection, inserted between the plans defined by the contacts of thewell. Consequently, one of the electrodes 93 b of one of the PTCRs 93faces an electrode 94b of the other PTCR 94, these two electrodes 93 band 94 b being respectively oriented towards the centre of the cover 92.Likewise, the other of the electrodes 93 a of one of the PTCRs 93 andanother electrode 94 a of the other PTCR 94 are oriented in oppositedirections to each other and each towards the lateral walls of thecover.

[0068] The contact 97, intended to touch the electrode oriented towardsthe lateral wall 94 a of the PTCR 94, presents an additional metallicpart in the form of a cut-out tongue 97 a, projecting in the directionof the electrode 94 a. In order to be able to touch one of theelectrodes of a PTCR, which is oriented towards the centre, thecorresponding contact must present the shape of a U, in order to passaround the body of the PTCR, and must not touch the other of theelectrodes which is oriented towards the lateral wall of the cover 92.This contact is fixed to the bottom of the cover by the bottom of theU-shaped part. In this way, the contact 98, touching the oppositeelectrode oriented towards the centre 94 b of the same PTCR 94, presentsan additional portion returning towards the centre of the cover andforming the branch of the U 98 a. The same applies to the contact 99,with an elastic metallic part in the form of cut-out tongue 99 a, shapedto touch the electrode oriented towards the outside 93 a of the secondPTCR 93. And the same applies to contact 96, with a portion returningtowards the centre, and forming the branch of the U 96 a, shaped totouch the other opposite electrode oriented towards the centre 93 b ofthe second PTCR 93.

[0069] The additional electrical member outside the cover 92 is, in thisexample, an RC module (not shown). It is connected in parallel, bridgingone of the line strands to the other line strand, to the interconnectionmodule by two sheathed electrical wires (not shown). For thisconnection, two contacts 96, 97 of the cover 92 among the four in mostdirect electrical connection with the large wires 3, also presentanother end, pointed upwardly, projecting from the cover 92, of the typeincorporating an insulation displacement slot, similar to an I.D.contact, in order to ensure the connection towards the outside of thecover. Connection is made by inserting each of the two wires of the RCmodule respectively in the two insulation displacement slots 96 b and 97b of each of the two respective I.D. contacts 96 and 97. The cover 92 ofthe well 43 comprises a manual insulating pusher 101 for receiving andconnecting the two wires of the RC circuit. The cover 92 also comprisesin its upper part two openings 102 and 103 through which the ends, withinsulation displacement slot, of the two respective I.D. contacts 96 and97 emerge. The manual insulating pusher 101 comprises two transverseblind orifices 104, 106 for receiving the two respective wires of the RCcircuit.

[0070] The two wires of the RC circuit are thus firstly introduced inthese orifices 104, 106, the pusher 101 being lifted. The pusher 101 isthen pushed manually towards the I.D. contacts 96 and 97 emerging viaopenings 102 and 103, in order to cause it to descend therealong andthus drive the two wires of the RC circuit into their respectiveinsulating displacement slots 96 b, 97 b. The manual pusher 101 remainsin place, as it presents two elastic arms 90 cooperating at end ofconnection with pawls 91 of the cover 92, ensuring by theirend-of-stroke clicking a firm positioning of the manual pusher 101. Asnapping sound resulting from the clicking informs the wire fitter thatthe insulation displacement connection is positively made. Finally, itis possible to disconnect the wires simply by lifting this pusher 101,in order to disenage them from the insulation displacement slots 96B, 97b.

[0071] Being given that the four contacts 32, 33, 41 and 42 inside thewell 43 are oriented longitudinally with respect to the module, the endsof the four I.D. contacts touching them are also oriented longitudinallywith respect to the module, and they face the four contacts of the well.On the contrary, being given that the two outlets via the two orifices104 and 106 are oriented transversely with respect to the module and arein line, the ends with insulation displacement slots 96 b and 97 b ofthe two I.D. contacts consequently being oriented transversely withrespect to the module and being substantially in line, the two I.D.contacts each present intermediate right-angled bevel gears.

[0072] In a fourth embodiment (FIG. 15), the known cover 46 is replacedby a cover 107, allowing both an outlet for connection towards anadditional electrical member outside the cover, and additionalelectrical members inserted inside the cover 107. The more voluminoushollow body thus receives two PTCRs 108, 109 inserted in series betweenthe large wire line 3 and the small wire line 2.

[0073] For this connection, the two known contacts 47, 48 have beenreplaced by four separate specific contacts 111, 112, 113, 114. Theyeach present a known first curved end intended to bear against each ofthe contacts of the well, 32, 33, 42, 41 respectively.

[0074] The shape of these contacts has therefore been adapted, on theone hand, to the geometry of the PTCRs 108, 109 and, on the other hand,to the outlet for connection towards the outside of the cover.

[0075] The PTCRs 108 and 109 have been placed inside the cover 107 inmanner similar to the first and third embodiments described hereinabove.Consequently, the four contacts of the cover 111, 112, 113 and 114present the same shape adapted to the PTCRs as the contacts of the coverof said first and third embodiments.

[0076] The additional electrical member outside the cover 107 is in thisembodiment a module (not shown) connected in series on each of the twoline strands 2 and 3 by four sheathed electrical wires (not shown). Thefour contacts of the cover 111, 112, 113 and 114 likewise each presentanother end, pointed upwardly, projecting beyond the cover 107, of thetype with insulation displacement slot 111 a, 112 a, 113 a, 114 asimilar to an I.D. contact in order to ensure the connection towards theoutside of the cover. The insulation displacement slot ends are disposedat right angles with respect to the ends touching the contacts of thewell, hence the necessary presence, for each, of the intermediate bevelgear. Similarly to the second embodiment previously described, the cover107 comprises an insulating manual pusher 113 with four transverse blindorifices 114, 116, 117 and 118. In the cover 107 itself there arearranged four openings 119, 121, 122 and 123 intended for the passageand outlet of the four ends with insulation displacement slot 111 a, 112a, 113 a and 114 a respectively. The connection of the four electricalwires of the module is made in a manner equivalent to the processesdescribed in the second and third embodiments mentioned above.

[0077] In a fifth embodiment (FIGS. 16 to 19), the known cover 46 isreplaced by a cover 124, whose hollow body is more voluminous. Theinterior volume of this cover 124 is intended to receive an additionalelectrical member inserted in parallel, bridging one of the line strandsto the other line strand. The electrical member is in this example aTransil diode 126. The Transil is tubular in shape, about 6 mm long andwith a diameter of 3 mm. The Transil comprises at each end an electrodein the form of an electrical wire 126 a, 126 b.

[0078] For this connection, the two known contacts 47, 48 have beenreplaced by two specific contacts 127 and 128. They each present a firstand a second curved end 127 a and 128 a, which are already known,intended to bear against each of the contacts of the well, 32, 41 and33, 42 respectively. However, the shape of these specific contacts 127,128 has been adapted to the geometry of the Transil 126. The Transil hasbeen placed on the longitudinal axis, horizontally, inside the cover124, inserted between the planes defined by the contacts of the well.Consequently, one of the electrodes 126 a of the Transil is orientedtowards the hinge 58 and the other of the electrodes 126 b of theTransil is oriented towards the tab 57 for gripping.

[0079] One of the contacts 127, intended to touch the electrode orientedtowards the hinge 126 a, presents a protuberance 127 b deployedperpendicularly to the contact, i.e. transversely with respect to thecover 124, and in the direction of the other contact 128.

[0080] In the protuberance 127 b, there is made a downwardly open slot127 c receiving, by insertion then blocking, the wire of the electrode126 a of the Transil. Opposite, the other contact 128, intended to touchthe electrode oriented towards the tab 126 b for gripping, presents aprotuberance 128 b, deployed perpendicularly to the contact, i.e.transversely with respect to the cover 124 and in the direction of thefirst contact 127. In the protuberance 128 b, there is made a downwardlyopen slot receiving, by insertion then blockage, the wire of theelectrode 126 b of the Transil.

[0081] The connection is therefore made from the contacts 32, 41 of thewell towards the contacts 33, 42 of the well, via the contact 127 withits protuberance 127 b, the Transil 126, and the contact 128 with itsprotuberance 128 b.

[0082] In a sixth embodiment (FIGS. 20 to 23), the known cover 46 isreplaced by a cover 129 whose hollow body is more voluminous. Theinterior volume of this cover 129 is intended to receive additionalelectrical members inserted in parallel, bridging one of the linestrands to the other line strand. The electrical members are, in thisembodiment, two VDRs. A VDR has the shape of a pellet with a diameter ofabout 6 mm and 2.5 mm thick. A VDR comprises two electrodes, one on eachof the opposite round faces.

[0083] For this connection, the two known contacts 47, 48 have beenreplaced by two specific contacts 131, 132. They each present a firstand a second curved end 131 a, 132 a, which is already known, intendedto bear against each of the contacts of the well 32, 41 and 33, 42,respectively. The shape of these specific contacts 131, 132 has beenadapted to the geometry of the VDRs. The two VDRs 133, 134 have beenplaced longitudinally inside the cover 129, one beside the other andedgewise between the planes defined by the contacts of the well.

[0084] The contact 131, intended to touch one of the electrodes of theVDR 133, presents an additional metallic part in the form of a cut-outtongue 131 b projecting in the direction of the electrode. The sameapplies for the contact 132 intended to touch one of the electrodes ofthe VDR 134 with the aid of its cut-out tongue 132 b.

[0085] Between the two VDRs 133, 134 and parallel thereto, an earthcontact 136 has been inserted, in the form of a metal plate providedwith some points coming into contact with the electrodes of the twoVDRs. This earth contact 136, on the one hand, is fixed in the mass ofthe cover, and on the other hand, opposite, it comprises a tab 136 adeployed in the well when the cover is closed. The tab 136 a is orientedsubstantially perpendicularly with respect to the plane defined by theplate of the earth contact 136. When the cover 129 pivots and closes,the tab 136 a descends and touches the earth contact 52 of the well,itself in contact with the median earth electrode 53 of the surgearrester 13, and in abutment against the metal reception rail 22 of theinterconnection device (cf. FIG. 3).

[0086] The connection is therefore made from the contacts 32, 41 of thewell towards the earth contact 52 of the well, via the contact of thecover 131 with its tongue 131 b, the first VDR 133, and the centralearth contact 136 with its tab 136 a. In the same way, the connection ismade from the contacts 33, 42 of the well towards the earth contact 52of the well, via the contact of the cover 132 with its tongue 132 b, thesecond VDR 134 and the central earth contact 136 with its tab 136 a.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments whichhave just been described and other adaptations of this module and itscover may in particular be envisaged. For example, the additionalelectrical members inserted in the cover may be of any type, any shapeor any dimensions, on condition that the cover can always be opened.They may be connected in series or in parallel. For example, theadditional electrical members outside the cover may be connectedtogether in series or in parallel by other means. There may be two orfour tuning fork contacts accessible from the outside by a plug-inelectrical member, in the same way, for example, as the plug-in module22 for continuity and protection is connected on an interconnectionmodule in accordance with the document U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,436,according to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 thereof.

1. Testing and cut-off device, intended to be interposed on a bifilartelephone or computer-related line in order to connect two incomingstrands (3) to two outgoing strands (2), comprising a testing well (43)inside which are located, on the one hand, a couple of free terminals(32, 33) corresponding to the two incoming strands (3) and, on the otherhand, a couple of free terminals (41, 42) corresponding to the twooutgoing strands (2), and a cover (59, 68, 92, 107, 124, 129) forclosing the well (43), these two couples of terminals (32, 33, 41, 42)being electrically insulated with respect to one another, when the cover(59, 68, 92, 107, 124, 129) is open, and each terminal then becomingselectively accessible from the outside by a respective testing plug,and means incorporating electrical contacts contained in the cover foreffecting the interconnection of these couples of terminals in two'swhen the cover is closed on the well, characterized in that saidinterconnection means incorporating electrical contacts contained in thecover, also comprise at least one means for galvanically linking thelatter with at least one additional electrical member (66, 67, 93, 94,108, 109, 126, 133, 134) placed outside the well (43).
 2. Deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the additional electricalmember or members (66, 67, 93, 94, 108, 109, 126, 133, 134) are insertedin the cover (59, 92, 107, 124, 129).
 3. Device according to claim 1 orclaim 2, characterized in that the additional electrical member ormembers are disposed outside the cover (68, 92, 107).
 4. Deviceaccording to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that theadditional electrical member or members (66, 67, 93, 94, 108, 109) areconnected in series with respect to one outgoing strand (2), or withrespect to one incoming strand (3), or with respect to the two outgoingand incoming strands (2, 3).
 5. Device according to claim 4,characterized in that the interconnection means incorporating electricalcontacts are interrupted, and the galvanic linking means are placed atthe interruption of said interconnection means with electrical contacts.6. Device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that theadditional electrical member is a positive temperature coefficientresistor (66, 67, 93, 94, 108, 109) and/or an MTU module.
 7. Deviceaccording to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that theadditional electrical member or members (126, 133, 134) are connectedtogether in parallel with respect to the two strands of the line (2, 3).8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the additionalelectrical member is an RC module and/or a Transil diode (126). 9.Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat the cover further comprises an earth contact (136) making aninterconnection with a contact directly connected to earth (52) presentin the well (43), when the cover (129) is closed on the well (43). 10.Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the additionalelectrical member is a VDR (133, 134).
 11. Device according to any oneof the preceding claims, characterized in that the galvanic linkingmeans consist in projections forming tabs (61 a, 62 a, 63 a, 64 a, 96 a,97 a, 98 a, 99 a, 131 b, 132 b), in insulation displacement contacts (69a, 71 a, 72 a, 73 a, 96 b, 97 b, 111 a, 112 a, 113 a, 114 a), in slotcontacts (127 c), in tuning fork contacts.
 12. Module forinterconnection of two monopair telephone or computer-related lines,characterized in that it comprises the testing and cut-off deviceaccording to any one of the preceding claims.